Moving home with your dog
Moving house is stressful for the whole family, including your
pets. Moving from a safe and familiar environment can be
disorientating and can lead to behavioural problems or even your
pet going missing. Please follow this simple checklist to ensure
your pet has a safe and happy move to your new home.
Preparation
- Try to keep your dog's usual routine as normal as possible
leading up to the move.
- If your dog is not microchipped, make sure you get him chipped
before the move and registered on Petlog Plus. This will give you a
Lost and Found service in your new local area, wherever you move
to, for £10.00 for life.
- Make sure your dog wears an identification collar and tag with
your current contact details. The Control of Dogs Order 1992
advises that any dog in a public place must wear a collar tag with
the name and address of the owner written on it. The phone
number is optional.
- Find a new vet in the area you are moving to. Log on at http://www.petlog.org.uk/
for contact details.
- Try to find out good walking places in advance so as soon as
you move you can get into a new routine as quickly as
possible.
- If your dog doesn't travel well try and get him used to
travelling in the car in advance.
- Ensure your dog is safely kept behind a dog guard or in a crate
but still has plenty of room to move.
Moving
- Keep your dog in one room while all the furniture and
belongings are taken out of the house.
- If your dog suffers travel sickness don't feed him/her for 12
hours before travelling.
- Make sure the car is well-ventilated and never leave your dog
in a car while you stop for a break on warm/hot days or very cold
days.
- If you are travelling far your dog will need frequent stops,
for easily digested food and water during the journey.
- If you are travelling by motorway you could use the MOTO
Service Stations which are dog friendly and provide water
facilities and an exercise area for your dog.
- Buy a new toy or chew to give to your dog once you arrive in
the new house.
- Keep your dog in one room with his toys and familiar items
i.e. their bed while all the furniture and belongings
arrive in your new home.
- Identify any possible escape routes in your garden that your
dog might find and ensure they are fenced securely.
Settling in
- Make sure you contact the Kennel Club to update your dog's
Petlog and registration details on 0844 463 3999. Remember
for just £10 for life you can upgrade to Petlog Plus where you can
see all your pet's details via the web and change your details as
many times you like.
- Make sure you get a new collar tag for your dog with your new
details.
- Introduce your dog to your neighbours, postmen and any other
regular callers as soon as you can.
- Don't forget to contact the Kennel Club to find out more about
local dog training clubs in your area so you can meet lots more
like minded dog friendly people - 0844 463 3980.